I’m currently using a Sony A7 II for my (quite extensive) collection of vintage lenses. Using them in their “natural environment” on full frame was a game changer. But somehow the user experience on the Sony still feels lackluster.
After reading this article https://phillipreeve.net/blog/the-best-fullframe-mirrorless-camera-for-adapting-manual-focus-lenses/
I feel GAS again and I’m longing for a Nikon Z camera.
The ZF looks really cool, too. But reading a bit about it some user prefer the interface of different Nikons (some also quite cheaper).
So I’m asking myself which Nikon Z cameras have the full potential to use with MF vintage lenses including this really cool MF subject detect function. As it seems that Nikon has integrated it via firmware updates the information in this article that this is only available for ZF and Z5ii seems to be outdated.
To my knowledge, all FX Z-bodies with Expeed7 now have manual focus subject detection, with the exception of the Z9.
The Zf, Z5II, Z6III and Z8 all now have this feature.
What the ZF, as far as I know, has exclusively is the ability to manually add the used aperture setting to the EXIF data via the control dial, even with non-CPU lenses/dumb adapters.
What doesn't work with non-CPU or dumb adapters is focus confirmation, specifically the color change of the focus frame from red to green.
Also not working with non-CPU/dumb adapter solutions are the Recall Shooting Function/-Hold functions with Z bodys that have RSF/RSFH as a feature.
If not Nikon chipped, you need an adaptor that fakes it to get manual focus aids.
What lens mounts are you looking at adapting?
I’ve got quite an extensive collection of vintage lenses (about 80 lenses) in different mounts:
Leica M, Leica LTM, Nikon F, Minolta MD, Pentax K, Exakta, Contax CRF, Pentax 67, Canon FD, M42, and quite obscure stuff like Braun Paxette as well as projection lenses.
I’ve got adapters to Sony NEX for all of them - which can be fitted to Nikon Z (buying a few direct Z adapters for the most used lenses is no problem - Nikon F and Leica come to mind).
To better specify focus aids, as these encompass more than just focus confirmation.
Manual focus subject/face/eye detection also works with non-CPU lenses.
Magnification also zooms directly onto the subject/face/eye when it is detected.
So there are no differences between chipped and non-CPU vintage lenses regarding mf subject detection, except for focus confirmation, which requires chipped lenses or certain smart adapter solutions.
The magnification modes and focus peaking also work the same way with non CPU.
Only focusing aid which remains inactive with non-CPU/dumb adapter solutions, is the focus confirmation via green frame, green dot.
This is what it looks like when MF subject detection has found an eye.
You can choose between three fields in which MF subject detection is active: Wide S, Wide L, and All.
This means you can selectively set MF subject detection to a smaller field, direct it, or have it scan the entire image area.
In this example, All was selected and the eye was easily found, framed by the eye detection, and magnification (when activated) was aligned to the eye.
The focus box frame remains red when not CPU-controlled, as in this case with a Thypoch Simera.
Vento wrote:
What the ZF, as far as I know, has exclusively is the ability to manually add the used aperture setting to the EXIF data via the control dial, even with non-CPU lenses/dumb adapters.
Wow - that sounds like a really nice feature - especially for testing/comparing lenses. Quite an advantage for ZF.
As only the Expeed7 cameras got the update for the MF aids - its either Z5 II or ZF for me (price is almost the same in Germany).
Vento wrote:
What doesn't work with non-CPU or dumb adapters is focus confirmation, specifically the color change of the focus frame from red to green.
Also not working with non-CPU/dumb adapter solutions are the Recall Shooting Function/-Hold functions with Z bodys that have RSF/RSFH as a feature.
It’s really a pity that the confirmation thing is only working using chipped adapters.
Does IBIS work with dumb adapters (after putting in the focal length - like I have to do it on my Sony A7 II)?
And what is RSF/RSFH good for?
All these aids sound much better than what the Sony does - there is essentially manual MF-magnification and contrast edges (which do not work properly) only.
All Z-bodys, including the first Gen, do have a option called "Non-CPU lens data" in the Setup Menu with the following input fields.
Here you can enter the specifications of adapted non-CPU lenses, which activates 3-axis IBIS.
After that, you simply select the appropriate lens/lens-number from the list, the one you've adapted.
As long as the lens data has been entered correctly and the correct number/lens has been selected, 3-axis IBIS works with any lens/dumb adapter.
It will then also be displayed in the EVF/LCD, provided the information has been selected for display.
Nikon Recall Shooting Function (Z8, Z9, Z6III) allows instant switching to pre-configured camera settings—such as mode, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—using a custom button.
This would allow you, for example, to assign a hotkey to an action emergency setting, where pressing the hotkey recalls a pre-configured setting.
This is rather unimportant in manual focus photography with non-CPU lenses, so you're not missing much.
These are mostly minor details.
For example, with the Z8, spot metering or other exposure modes cannot be assigned to a hotkey.
You can assign exposure measurement to a hotkey in general, but then you still have to select it using the dial.
If you want to activate spot metering or another metering method instant via hotkey, you can only do so via RSF/RSFH.
This functionality is then unavailable with non-CPU lenses.
As I plan to use the Nikon mainly for vintage lenses (my current main system used with AF is Fujifilm - X-Pro 2 with mostly primes and X100 VI with both adapters) - it looks like the best for that would be Nikon ZF followed by Nikon Z5 II. With the older and cheaper bodies I loose more or less functions regarding MF lenses.
If I want to use the focus confirmation/green box function I either have to use chipped lenses like my Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4D or my Voigtländer Nokton 58mm f1.4 (pre AI, AI or AI-S should not work, do they?) or an appropriate adapter (like the TT Artisans M-Z 6 bit adapter - which is unfortunately sold out everywhere I’ve looked)?
Which adapters would you recommend that are suitable? Is there a guide or thread specifically for adapters and their function with a Z camera?
@Al81 That TTArtisan adapter was quite unique. All others, AFAIK, regardless of native mount, will not give you the subject detection and "green box" experience. I too have a sizeable lens collection from the film era, and the only manual focus lenses I get advanced focus assisting features for are the "chipped" lenses, i.e. relatively modern F, Z, E lenses attached via electronic adapters, like the aforementioned Megadap 21 ETZ+ or Nikon's own FTZ II.
old-gregg wrote:
@Al81@ That TTArtisan adapter was quite unique. All others, AFAIK, regardless of native mount, will not give you the subject detection and "green box" experience. I too have a sizeable lens collection from the film era, and the only manual focus lenses I get advanced focus assisting features for are the "chipped" lenses, i.e. relatively modern F, Z, E lenses attached via electronic adapters, like the aforementioned Megadap 21 ETZ+ or Nikon's own FTZ II.
The TechArt adapter provides AF plus the TT Artisan stuff, but it’s heavier and more expensive.
old-gregg wrote:
@Al81@ That TTArtisan adapter was quite unique. All others, AFAIK, regardless of native mount, will not give you the subject detection and "green box" experience. I too have a sizeable lens collection from the film era, and the only manual focus lenses I get advanced focus assisting features for are the "chipped" lenses, i.e. relatively modern F, Z, E lenses attached via electronic adapters, like the aforementioned Megadap 21 ETZ+ or Nikon's own FTZ II.
Do you know if this adapter is indefinitely out of production or if this is just temporary?
This would be one of the main (logical) reasons for changing from Sony to Nikon (plus the thinner filter stack for my adapted rangefinder lenses and the nicer handling - my first digital SLR was a Nikon).
As far as I’ve read - the only way to get the focus confirmation with non-chipped lenses is to use a Neewer/Funmount ETZ Adapter and program it for the lens you use via the USB adapter cable (method as described in the philipreeve article from the first post). Am I right in that assumption or are there any other ways?
It’s a real pitty as it would just need a firmware function to set the lens data manually - which would be the same as a fake chipped lens…. With this function the Z would be almost perfect for adapted manual lenses.
Another thing I could miss with the ZF is a joystick… - what are your practical experiences regarding that drawback?
